Same-sex Marriage in Washington

Seattle City Hall becomes state's same-sex marriage capital

By By Chronicle Web Staff

on December 9, 2012 7:11 PM

Photo: Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

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Mary Davidson, 27, left, and her bride Monica Rozgay, 29, take a breather outside in advance of their official midnight ceremony at The Seattle Yacht Club early Sunday Dec. 9, 2012. Rozgay and Davidson, of Seattle, were one of the first couples to wed following the passage of Referendum 74, which approved a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the state of Washington. (AP Photo/The Seattle Times, Bettina Hansen) less

Mary Davidson, 27, left, and her bride Monica Rozgay, 29, take a breather outside in advance of their official midnight ceremony at The Seattle Yacht Club early Sunday Dec. 9, 2012. Rozgay and Davidson, of ... more

Terry Gilbert, left, kisses his husband Paul Beppler after wedding at Seattle City Hall, becoming among the first gay couples to legally wed in the state, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing gay marriage Dec. 5 and weddings for gay and lesbian couples began in Washington on Sunday, following the three-day waiting period after marriage licenses were issued earlier in the week. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) less

Terry Gilbert, left, kisses his husband Paul Beppler after wedding at Seattle City Hall, becoming among the first gay couples to legally wed in the state, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire ... more

Matthew Wiltse, right, and Jonathon Bashford, left, hold hands as they are married at the Thurston County Courthouse just after midnight on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Olympia, Wash. Sunday is the first day same-sex couples can marry under Washington state's new voter-approved law allowing gay marriage.(AP Photo/Rachel La Corte) less

Matthew Wiltse, right, and Jonathon Bashford, left, hold hands as they are married at the Thurston County Courthouse just after midnight on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Olympia, Wash. Sunday is the first day ... more

Matthew Wiltse, right, and Jonathon Bashford, left, are married by Thurston County Superior Court Judge Chris Wickham at the Thurston County Courthouse just after midnight on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Olympia, Wash. Sunday is the first day same-sex couples can marry under Washington state's new voter-approved law allowing gay marriage. (AP Photo/Rachel La Corte) less

Matthew Wiltse, right, and Jonathon Bashford, left, are married by Thurston County Superior Court Judge Chris Wickham at the Thurston County Courthouse just after midnight on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Olympia, ... more

Matthew Wiltse, left, and Jonathon Bashford arrive at the courtroom they'll be married in just after midnight on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Olympia, Wash. Sunday is the first day same-sex couples can marry under Washington state's new voter-approved law allowing gay marriage. (AP Photo/Rachel La Corte) less

Matthew Wiltse, left, and Jonathon Bashford arrive at the courtroom they'll be married in just after midnight on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Olympia, Wash. Sunday is the first day same-sex couples can marry under ... more

Aya Bentley, right, 14, of Bellevue, Wash., uses a small bubble-maker as she joins other well-wishers congratulating gay and lesbian newlyweds at Seattle City Hall Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing gay marriage Wednesday, Dec. 5 and weddings for gay and lesbian couples began in Washington state on Sunday, following the three-day waiting period after marriage licenses were issued earlier in the week. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) less

Aya Bentley, right, 14, of Bellevue, Wash., uses a small bubble-maker as she joins other well-wishers congratulating gay and lesbian newlyweds at Seattle City Hall Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris ... more

Retired U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Nancy Monahan, right, wears her dress uniform as she leans to kiss her soon-to-be bride Deb Needham while they wait at Seattle City Hall to become among the first gay couples to legally wed in Washington state, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. The couple is from Renton, Wash. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing gay marriage Dec. 5 and weddings for gay and lesbian couples began in Washington on Sunday, following the three-day waiting period after marriage licenses were issued earlier in the week. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) less

Retired U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Nancy Monahan, right, wears her dress uniform as she leans to kiss her soon-to-be bride Deb Needham while they wait at Seattle City Hall to become among the ... more

Judge Karli Kristine Jorgensen, center, applauds as she declares Corianton Hale, left, and Keith Bacon to be wed at Seattle City Hall, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing gay marriage Wednesday, Dec. 5 and weddings for gay and lesbian couples began in Washington on Sunday, following the three-day waiting period after marriage licenses were issued earlier in the week. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) less

Judge Karli Kristine Jorgensen, center, applauds as she declares Corianton Hale, left, and Keith Bacon to be wed at Seattle City Hall, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a ... more

Newlyweds Corianton Hale, left, and Keith Bacon raise their arms in celebration after marrying at Seattle City Hall, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing gay marriage Wednesday, Dec. 5 and weddings for gay and lesbian couples began in Washington on Sunday, following the three-day waiting period after marriage licenses were issued earlier in the week. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) less

Newlyweds Corianton Hale, left, and Keith Bacon raise their arms in celebration after marrying at Seattle City Hall, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing ... more

Cindy Ogasawara stands with other well-wishers greeting newly married couples as they depart Seattle City Hall, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing gay marriage Wednesday, Dec. 5 and weddings for gay and lesbian couples began in Washington on Sunday, following the three-day waiting period after marriage licenses were issued earlier in the week. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) less

Cindy Ogasawara stands with other well-wishers greeting newly married couples as they depart Seattle City Hall, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing gay ... more

Liam, right, and Richard Sauer-Wooden kiss on the steps of Seattle City Hall after getting married, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing gay marriage Wednesday, Dec. 5 and weddings for gay and lesbian couples began in Washington on Sunday, following the three-day waiting period after marriage licenses were issued earlier in the week. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) less

Liam, right, and Richard Sauer-Wooden kiss on the steps of Seattle City Hall after getting married, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing gay marriage ... more

Brian Smith, left, and his husband Jeff Wagner are cheered by well-wishers after they married at Seattle City Hall, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing gay marriage Wednesday, Dec. 5 and weddings for gay and lesbian couples began in Washington state on Sunday, following the three-day waiting period after marriage licenses were issued earlier in the week. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) less

Brian Smith, left, and his husband Jeff Wagner are cheered by well-wishers after they married at Seattle City Hall, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing ... more

Cindy Ogasawara stands with other well-wishers greeting newly married couples as they depart Seattle City Hall, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing gay marriage Wednesday, Dec. 5 and weddings for gay and lesbian couples began in Washington on Sunday, following the three-day waiting period after marriage licenses were issued earlier in the week. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) less

Cindy Ogasawara stands with other well-wishers greeting newly married couples as they depart Seattle City Hall, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing gay ... more

Cynthia Wallace, left, and partner Julie Fein spin a few dance steps as they prepare to take their wedding vows in the early morning hours in the courtroom of Judge Mary Yu in the King County Courthouse Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing gay marriage Wednesday, Dec. 5 and weddings for gay and lesbian couples began in Washington on Sunday, following the three-day waiting period after marriage licenses were issued earlier in the week. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) less

Cynthia Wallace, left, and partner Julie Fein spin a few dance steps as they prepare to take their wedding vows in the early morning hours in the courtroom of Judge Mary Yu in the King County Courthouse Sunday, ... more

Retired U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Nancy Monahan, right, wears her dress uniform and holds her marriage license as her soon-to-be bride Deb Needham wipes away tears as they wait at Seattle City Hall to become among the first gay couples to legally wed in the state Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. The couple is from Renton, Wash. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing gay marriage Wednesday, Dec. 5 and weddings for gay and lesbian couples began in Washington state on Sunday, following the three-day waiting period after marriage licenses were issued earlier in the week. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) less

A well-wisher hands out roses to newlyweds leaving Seattle City Hall, where gay and lesbian couples legally wed Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing gay marriage Wednesday, Dec. 5 and weddings for gay and lesbian couples began in Washington state on Sunday, following the three-day waiting period after marriage licenses were issued earlier in the week. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) less

A well-wisher hands out roses to newlyweds leaving Seattle City Hall, where gay and lesbian couples legally wed Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Seattle. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing gay ... more